I was just stuck with windows until I installed linux without doing a dual boot... ONLY LINUX. Yes, mint is ubuntu\debian flavoured.
I got a new computer recently, I'm going to up my security in a number of ways on the new one... I love how simple linux is to use compared to 15 years ago.... the first time I tried to install linux was a nightmare... hehe. now I only am forced to learn commandline stuff occasionally, which gives me a gradual learning process on the deeper workings.